Award-winning vocalist and songwriter, Mbuso Khoza is billed to perform a riveting rendition of the historic Battle of Isandlwana in a captivating monologue at the Soweto theatre later this month.
Khoza’s performance promises to relay the riotous events that led to one of the continent’s most brutal wars between Zulu worries and British soldiers, in which the former surprisingly triumphed against steeped odds.
A heritage and cultural doyenne, Khoza will host the 3rd installment of this much-publicised show in the Soweto suburb of Jabulani from Thursday, 27 until Sunday, 30 May. It will be streamed live on digital platforms.
According to BritishBattles.com (https://www.britishbattles.com/), an international website that archives all military conflict since the 1700s, the battle of Isandlwana stunned the world when Zulus wiped out a large battalion of British troops in an aggressive turf war that began in early January 1879.
The website records that until then, it was unthinkable that a native army armed substantially with spears and other stabbing weapons could defeat troops of a western power armed with modern rifles and artillery, let alone wipe it out.
BlackPast.org (https://www.blackpast.org/), which references the history of people of African ancestry, documents that about 1 800 British troops invaded Zululand ahead of the war, but were maneuvered by King Cetshwayo’s warriors. By the end of the war, about 52 British officers and 806 non-commissioned ranks were dead, while only 2 000 Zulu worries succumbed to death out of a large army of 20 000 warriors.
Khoza’s publicist says the show at the Soweto Theatre, which blends spiritual and melodic Zulu psalms (Amahubo) as well as animated dance routines, embodies a crucial historic battle where a spear overcame a bullet.
“The Battle of Isandlwana is a story of pride not only for the Zulu nation of South Africa but for the continent as well, as it marked a new era for Black people and their former colonisers,” explains the musical artist.
Khoza will be joined on stage by the African Heritage Ensemble to perform a thrilling interpretation of Amahubo, which are classic Zulu culture, religious and political songs.
He says these historically rich traditional melodies represent a marriage between the past and present, with some perceptions about the future. The performance will showcase how Amahubo and other songs that were sung during the liberation struggle, interrelate.
“We continue to draw inspiration from our roots as we redefine our identity using the body of work bequeathed to us by our forebears in the arts, culture and intellectual disciplines,” he adds.
Khoza’s performance – which also commemorates Africa Day – will include a webinar to encourage the audience to engage with its content.
“As an artist, my job is to mirror the views and feelings of my people. Using the universal language of music, we want to contribute towards strengthening our role in society,” he adds.
Observed annually on 25 May, Africa Day honours the establishment of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963, which was later renamed the African Union.
“Over five and a half decades ago, Africa came out to exhibit its determination to free itself from foreign exploitation and domination. We thought it to be an opportune time to bring the biggest African victory to the stage of festivities and have our Isandlwana presentation during this month,” he says.
Africa Day was first adopted as a platform to acknowledge and celebrate the vibrancy and dynamism of the continent’s history, heritage, and culture and to promote social cohesion and anti-xenophobia. Khoza, who hails from the rolling hills of Eshowe in the heart of Kwazulu Natal says art is an influential societal system of communication, which makes heritage events memorable. An accomplished songwriter and vocalist, he is scheduled to perform a profound mixture of traditional Zulu music infused with jazz elements.
The Battle of Isandlwana runs at the Soweto Theatre from Thursday, 27 to Sunday, 30 May from 6:30 pm. Tickets cost R150 per person. Visit www.sowetotheatre.co.za or telephone 0861 670 670 to book your seat.
Written by Gontse ‘GeE’ Hlophe
18/05/2021